TWO OF EVERYTHING

Hong, who debuted with the much-praised How Ox Star Fell from Heaven (1991), returns to her Chinese heritage for a kindly tale about an aged couple whose fortunes are improved by a magic pot that duplicates whatever is put into it—a blessing, until old Mrs. Haktak falls in and emerges as twins. Fortunately, their dismay is short-lived: in the ensuing confusion, Mr. Haktak, too, tumbles into the pot, and the new couple and the old enjoy their prosperity together—a happier conclusion than the satirical version in MÅhlenweg's Big Tiger and Christian (1952), where the pot turns out a pile of dead grandfathers who must be buried at great expense by a far less amiable couple. Hong's stylized illustrations, with areas of subtly muted turquoise, purples, and earth colors outlined in magic-marker-broad lines, depict cheerfully doll-like figures in a boldly graphic style that will be fine for group sharing. A lively and entertaining offering. (Folklore/Picture book. 4-10)